2026 WBD Access x HBO Max Script Engine Writers Programme in collaboration with Series Mania Institute

WBD Access x HBO Max Script Engine Writers Programme in collaboration with Series Mania Institute      

A European writers' initiative designed to identify and develop skilled mid-level screenwriters with connections to France, Spain, Germany and Italy.   

About the Programme

Designed for mid-level television writers, Script Engine offers a dedicated development pathway to support original, inclusive and locally rooted storytelling.   Following the success of its first iteration, the programme returns with a renewed focus on writers connected to France, Spain, Italy and Germany, offering a structured opportunity to develop original series concepts aligned with HBO Max’s vision for distinctive European storytelling.   This bespoke development opportunity will be delivered in partnership with HBO Max and in collaboration with Series Mania Institute. 

Programme Structure 

Selected writers will begin the programme with an in-person professional development week in London. This opening stage is designed to lay the foundations for the programme and introduce participants to the creative standards and vision behind original storytelling for HBO Max. 

During the week, writers will take part in a series of sessions exploring HBO Max’ brand and creative priorities, alongside learning and development workshops focused on personal branding, leadership, collaboration and inclusive storytelling. Participants will also have the opportunity to meet the wider programme community, including fellow writers, mentors and industry guests, through a series of networking sessions.  

Following the London professional development week, the cohort will proceed to attend a series of virtual sessions alongside their smaller country cohort led by local industry professionals and HBO Max teams. These sessions will provide insight into the commissioning landscape and creative priorities of HBO Max, as well as guidance on writing for European writers’ rooms.

Alongside these sessions, each writer will receive bespoke one-to-one guidance from both a writer mentor and a producer advisor, supporting them as they develop their original series concept and prepare their 10–20-page series document (or “series bible”) for presentation.

The programme will culminate in a Project Presentation with HBO Max executives, offering writers the opportunity to present their project, receive feedback, and further develop direct relationships with regional HBO Max teams.      

Who Can Apply 

Script Engine is designed for established television writers who are ready to take the next step in developing original series concepts aligned with HBO Max. Writers must be based in France, Spain, Italy or Germany and/or have a demonstrable connection to the region they are applying for.   To be eligible, applicants must:   

• Not have previously written for an HBO Original Series (HBO movies accepted). 
• Be legally entitled to work in the country to which they are applying (France, Spain, Italy or Germany) for the duration of the programme (June – November 2026) 
• Have demonstrable experience writing for commissioned television projects, including a minimum of 3 original episodes, concepts, or writers’ room credits on projects that have been commissioned, optioned, or formally developed by a broadcaster or streamer. Please note, at least one of these must have taken place within the last three years. 
• Be available to participate fully in the programme schedule, including attendance to virtual and in-person sessions between June-November 2026. 
• Hold a valid passport and be eligible to travel to the UK in June 2026 and the country you are applying to (i.e.; France, Spain, Germany or Italy) in late November 2026, if you are not already based there. 
• Must be aged 18 or over at the point of application (no upper age limit) 

 Applicants are responsible for ensuring they meet any applicable travel or entry requirements and, are encouraged to check the relevant guidance for the UK and the country they are applying to. 

Selection Process 

Applications will be submitted in two rounds. In the first application round, applicants will apply to a specific market region submitting the below entry materials:   

1. A CV covering that includes:  

• Relevant employment history  
• Relevant industry credits   

2. Bio  

3. Intro video (2 minutes or less) - An introduction to you, responding to two prompts: 

4. What makes you a great candidate for this programme and what do you hope to get out of this experience?  

• How does this opportunity fit your wider career goals? 

5. Two Essay Questions (500 words or less):  

• Please describe your connection to the country you are applying to (France, Spain, Italy, or Germany).   
• Why are you interested in writing for the HBO market you are applying to?   

6. Two samples of writing work that demonstrates strong character-driver storytelling ability, with a clear command of structure, dialogue and a distinctive voice. 

7. Reference letter – optional (not from your Agent)  

Following Round One, longlisted applicants will be invited to submit a one-two page original series concept in response to a country-specific creative brief shaped by the content priorities of the relevant HBO Max market. 

To support this stage, longlisted applicants will have the opportunity to attend a longlist briefing session on Tuesday 5 May at 3:00pm UTC+2, where WBD Access will walk through the next stage of the application process. This will include breakout sessions with each HBO Max market team, where applicants will join the session relevant to the market they have applied to. In these sessions, the HBO Max teams will introduce their briefs and provide an opportunity for applicants to ask questions.

Briefing materials will be shared with all longlisted applicants following the session.

Applicants will then have until Tuesday 12 May at 3:00pm UTC+2 to submit their one-two-page concept.

We strongly encourage applicants to hold these dates in their diaries in advance. 

Please note, the one-two page concept does do not need to be uploaded at the point of application. Those who have been longlisted will be notified by Thursday 30 April 2026. Those who are selected for the programme will develop the initial two-page concept over the course of the programme, with the support of the WBD Access, HBO Max and mentors. 

Applicants must hold all rights to the series project submitted as part of their application and on which they will work during the programme if selected. They declare and guarantee that they are the sole authors of the series project subject to the pitch submitted with their application and commit to retaining their rights and not entering into any agreements regarding the project until the final pitch of the programme if selected; they specifically commit not to grant any options or transfer or grant any rights to a production company, broadcaster, or platform. The use of artificial intelligence (AI) to generate or significantly contribute to submitted content is not permitted and may result in disqualification. 

Selection Criteria 

Each application and will be reviewed by a committee which will be made up of a varied range of professionals from Series Mania Institute, HBO Max and Warner Bros. Discovery. Applications will be assessed against the following criteria:   

• A strong professional track record in television writing, including experience on commissioned, optioned, or formally developed projects, demonstrating progression and a clear commitment to screenwriting 
• A clear sense of how the programme aligns with the applicant’s current career stage and future ambitions 
• The ability to craft well-structured, engaging narratives, with well-developed characters and clear dialogue 
• A clear and distinctive writing voice, demonstrated through original storytelling and a strong interest in character-driven work 
• A thoughtful and intentional approach to inclusive storytelling 
• The ability to develop original series concepts that are locally rooted in the market they are applying to 
• An understanding of, and alignment with, the HBO Max market they are applying to 
• A genuine connection with the country to which they are applying. 
• Proficiency in developing original series concepts and articulating a clear creative vision. 
• A genuine ambition to write for the HBO Max market to which they are applying. 
• The ability to communicate confidently, both verbally and in writing, in English. 

Programme Timeline 

The programme’s application portal will open on Thursday 2 April 2026 at 5pm UTC+2 with an application deadline of Sunday 26 April at 11:59pm UTC+2. The evaluation period will run across April-June 2026.

Longlisted applicants will have between Tuesday 5 and Thursday 12 May to submit the one-two page concept in response to a region-specific creative brief shaped by the content priorities of the relevant HBO Max market. HBO Max teams will review these submissions to assess the strength, clarity and market relevance of the proposed ideas.    

Below is a summary of dates for our submission period. If you have further questions about the submission period, please visit our FAQs below.   

• Virtual Information Session: Thursday April 2 | 1-2pm UTC+2 
• Submissions Open: Thursday April 2 | 5pm UTC+2 
• Round 1 Submission Deadline: Sunday April 26 | 11:59pm UTC+2 
• Round 1 Longlist notification: Thursday Apr 30 
• Longlist Briefing Session: Tues May 5 | 3pm UTC+2  
• Round 2 Submission Deadline: Tuesday May 12 | 3pm UTC+2 
• Shortlist Interviews: Early June 
• Successful Applicants Notification: Mid-June 

Dates subject to change at the discretion of WBD Access.

Following final selection, the programme will commence in June 2026 with a virtual orientation, closely followed by the professional development week in London.

Programme Schedule: 

• Professional Development Week (in London): w/c 29 June 2026 
• Virtual Masterclasses & Mentoring: various dates across July – October 2026 
• In-Person Project Presentation: November 2026  

How to Apply 

All submissions must be made through our portal. The application deadline is Sunday April 26 at 11:59PM UTC+2. Late submissions will not be accepted.

Please note that all submission materials will be required to be in English and all sessions will be delivered in the English language.